Studio space….

 This is where the small magic happens! Anything up to 11”x17”happens here.  

We have been in this house for about a year and a half and this studio space is just now feeling like home.  The studio is a long, narrow walk out basement.  This picture is the end of the room with (the bad news) the only windows and a beautiful view of Tennessee rolling hills (the good news). The mid section of the room is set up with an easel for large paintings and the far end is computer and storage. There are also tables for utilitarian and sometimes crazy projects.

Periodically, I straighten everything up and have to take a picture….as in today

“Saturday Night “

 

This is a companion piece to ‘2am’ and I am calling it ‘Saturday Night’. Part of me really is tempted to put a crown on her head but I am going with the old adage that you get dressed up and then take one piece off. Wouldn’t want to overdress her…lol. 

Next piece of the series will have a winged person..I think. One never knows when you are painting because the paintings have opinions of their own……

Enjoy…di

Still working on the studio

 

Since I am not going to barbecue in my walk out basement studio-the barbecue hood came down and custom shelving will be built and inserted👍. Very excited..it took us a solid year to find some one to remove the metal hood as it was embedded in brick…but score one for the team and we move forward…

Work in progress…

 Do not usually post uncompleted work on my blog (that I do on Instagram #difergiart), but I haven’t posted lately and don’t want you-my peeps, thinking I am a sloth!

This is going slowly for two reasons. One, it has a lot of detail involved. Two, it doesn’t have to be done until the end of August. I also have been doing some side art smalls that take time! That is kinda of number three, and now I am officially whining…lol.

Bottom line, I am liking where this is going-stay tuned…

My image was selected!

 

So excited. This image was selected by Friday Health Plans to be used on their promotional materials for the state of Tennessee. The company held a national competition and selected one artist’s work for each of the eleven states in which they do business.  Mine is, of course, for the state of Tennessee.  I chose to include In my piece, the Cherokee mountains and our state flower, the iris.

It is an honor for my work to be selected.

“The Gift”

 

I love it when a painting names itself! The title for this piece was obvious to me. Hopefully, to you also.

This piece seems to be, as always, narrative but also a bit ‘sentimental’…not sure that is a good thing. Perhaps, in these divisive times my soul is searching for harmony and the art is reflecting that.

ACEOs

 

Working on small ACEO’s, that I sell on eBay. I have fun doing them and it gets my name out there.  They are whimsical and bring in the $ for art supplies etc.  Getting ready to start a ‘real’ painting’ this week and waiting to hear from two exhibitions.  So life continues on. It is all good.

Works in progress for competition….

 

These are not done yet but they are getting there! I have been chosen as one of three artists in Tennessee to compete for a cover on a national company’s promotional material.

The company has chosen the top three artists in each state that they have business in. I am Tennessee, hence, the Smokey mountains and irises (state flower). 

These are about 70% done and I will not show them finished until the winner is announced.  Am not sure which one I will submit and won’t know until they are finished. I have 7 days to complete them so will be busy.

This is the finals, so keeping fingers crossed. If not the winner, I am honored to have gotten this far. I have received some compensation already for my efforts and will have two new paintings for sale, so all is good…looking for some collectors from Tennessee!

Art reflects….

 

Artist reflect their times. With all that is happening in Ukraine, it is impossible to disconnect from the pain of its people. There was no way I could not react to what is happening in our world today. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and I believe that to be true. I have not decided on a title yet but it will emerge. Hopefully, you feel the ‘title’ in your soul.

2 AM

 

This took quite a while! It is 36”x48”. I am going to do some smaller ones next as I am more of an instant gratification type of girl! 24”x36” is probably my favorite size painting to work on. For some reason I also like to work on a square shape which a lot of people do not like to do. But I am rambling-forgive me🙃. 

I think this piece gives you a feel of that early morning strangeness-and you have to love the lady in the lower left👍….enjoy!

‘Blest’

 Reworked some more and officially done and titled. Blest is the archaic form of blessed! So google informed me. And they are being blessed.

Character, character, character…….

 

You just have to love their personalities! Perhaps I am too easily amused lol!

Still working….deadline looming

 

This piece is slow going because I am not sure how I want it to play out.  It is trial and error all the way.  I think the title will be “Two AM”, we shall see.  Just checking in as we are just getting past all the holiday stuff and I am begging for routine. Hopefully, this painting will be done by March 1 for a show.  No promises.

Have been busy👍

Trying out a retail space……

Showing at the Knoxville Airport (second from the right)

Showing at Athens Area Center for the Arts-Two person Show

Starting new large painting

 

‘Dare to Dream’

 Newest piece for my upcoming show at the Athens Art Center, Athens, TN. The show opens November 5th and runs through most of December. The piece is 24x36 and I have to say I really love it. Because of the pandemic there is no satin finish spray varnish to be found, so this will have to be sealed with a matt finish. Not my favorite but it is a sign of the times. Once we get through the holiday season, I hope to do a larger piece with colorful characters 👍. ENJOY…

September Art Opening

Have been really busy getting ready for this show. That is why I did not do much posting for the last two months.  This show was at the “Emporium’ in downtown Knoxville, TN. It opened last night, September 3rd.  The venue is huge and featured 5 different artists. The show runs through September. There were about 800-1000 people who came through and sales were made, ( I love it when my work is displayed in someone’s home👍). My next show is scheduled for November in Athens, TN. Ya’ll come ….

 

Saturday Night in Cartoonville

 

A frivolous piece on paper (11x14). It just happened, do not know what to tell you…I just had a major birthday and I think I have lost my mind. But it is cute so I will share it for now. ❤️Di

In The Garden

 

Newest piece. Thanks to COVID I have not had a show in over a year BUT now I have two big shows scheduled for this fall. Since, I could not socialize last year, I had plenty of time to work! Now the dilemma is to choose which paintings I want to show not the usual ‘do I have enough,’ conundrum.

Last year was very hard on artists. Yet the sun is shining and life, as we knew it sort of , returns….❤️

No title yet.....

 

Heaven only knows what was going through my head with this one BUT I like it! Am working on more complexity in my work and continually pushing myself-somewhat frustrating at times. I think the blood, sweat, and tears will be worth it eventually. I am counting on it!

ACEOs

These are artists trading cards (original) that I create for EBay. It is all part of my marketing plan which has not gone overly well. But I am trying and they are pretty.  You can bid on them and buy them for a song.

Can not get this page to behave ( ie the underling), forgive me....di

“The Fish Monger”

 

This is my newest painting. The fish monger has a pinch of salt in his hand and the fresh catch of the day. Just a continuation of my ‘village characters’.  For some obscure reason this piece took me a long time. I think it is 24x36, so not a huge piece. I like it, so that is all that matters.  Hope you do too! Di

Portrait Challenge

 Have been participating in a challenge- #anodetowomen.  Thirty portraits, one a day for thirty days. We are only suppose to spend 30 minutes on each one but I must admit that some have taken a little longer. Here are my four favorite so far. We are only 9 days into the challenge.

“Tell Me Your Secrets”

 In my head I see a dialogue going on about confidences. The houses symbolize life, journey, families, and a myriad of happenings that are being shared. Birds for me are wisdom. 

This painting is magical and lets the mind wonder. IMHO

It has been a while...

 

Sorry-did not realize I hadn’t posted in so long! Sold a house, bought a house, and am renovating said house. And of course blogger has changed some of the ways of doing things in the meantime!

Have started a series on Delphi/Strong Women. Among other things. Have gotten studio set up and pretty much a ‘go’ from now on.

These are 11x14, so reasonable size  and on sale in my ETSY shop which of course is called DiFergi’s...

Artwork Chosen for Cover...

 Honored for my artwork to have been chosen for the cover of this literary magazine!

Imagine...

 This is my latest painting and I am calling it, “Imagine”.  People always ask me, “Where do you get your imagination?” See the book sitting on the chair? As a child I read constantly and still do. I once read and I paraphrase-An average person lives but one life while a reader lives hundreds.  In our imaginations anything can exist and new realities are created. This painting is an homage to endless ideas and to images  we can travel. And yes, I wanted to be a gypsy when I grew up but painting is the next best thing. LOL

Keeper of the Stars...

 

He is “The Keeper of the Stars”.  Taking his job very seriously, he fills the heavens with the twinkling of the stars for us mere mortals to wish upon.  His duty is to protect and cherish the beauty of the night.

This piece is 24x24, acrylic on canvas.

Sunday painting...

Sometimes between big paintings I just feel like painting with no plan, no expectations, and to just go for it! This is one of  those paintings. I still love to do faces and love my ‘spirit orbs’, but I challenge myself to stretch my artistic muscles and Old habits. No title for this one yet...but I like it👍.

 

The Bird Ladies

 Don and I have three bird feeders around our screened in porch.  One of our favorite things to do in the early evening is to go on the porch and watch the birds feed.  This is my homage to all the birds that entertain us so beautifully! More of my beautiful misfits series.

“Joyful Spirit”

 A piece expressing joy and praise. 18x24”, acrylic on paper

Stairway to Heaven

 Just a small piece (9x12) -but a little jewel.  This is with my ‘ beautiful misfits’ series. I am loving the jewel tones. I have about 5 or 6 small canvases that I need to paint on. Usually prefer larger canvases but was given the smaller ones, so I will be painting small for a bit. 👍

“Searching”

 

Sometimes you just love a piece and I love this one. I think it is the mood of the piece That appeals to me. That and the rawness of it.  This is collage and acrylic on paper. It is 18x24”.  I am in the mood to do something large-as in really large.  We shall see what is in my future👍.

Story Time”

Story Time...is the title of this new piece. I hope that when you stop and look at this piece, that it connects you to a time of fairy tales and wonder.

Right now, life is far from magical for most of the world. Perhaps this is when we should stop and let our minds laugh and be joyful. This painting, I hope, gives you cause to smile.

This piece and others are for sale in my Etsy shop
www.difergi.etsy.com

The River Flows...

This is 18x24, acrylic and inks, on paper. When I look at it, I see the rhythm of lines and the path of the spheres, thus to me it says, “the river flows”.  Sometimes, I hate to name pieces because when they are purchased I feel that the owner should name the piece as he/she relates to it. But this one just named itself!